2. Academic Validation
  3. Partially oxidized polyvinyl alcohol conduitfor peripheral nerve regeneration

Partially oxidized polyvinyl alcohol conduitfor peripheral nerve regeneration

  • Sci Rep. 2018 Jan 12;8(1):604. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-19058-3.
Elena Stocco 1 2,  Silvia Barbon 3 2,  Lucia Lora 3,  Francesca Grandi 4,  Leonardo Sartore 5,  Cesare Tiengo 6,  Lucia Petrelli 1,  Daniele Dalzoppo 3,  Pier Paolo Parnigotto 2,  Veronica Macchi 1,  Raffaele De Caro 1,  Andrea Porzionato 7,  Claudio Grandi 3
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Via Gabelli 65, 35121, Padua, Italy.
  • 2 Foundation for Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Tissue Engineering and Signaling (TES) ONLUS, Via De Sanctis 10, Caselle di Selvazzano Dentro, 35030, Padua, Italy.
  • 3 Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, University of Padua, Via Marzolo 5, 35131, Padua, Italy.
  • 4 Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Surgery, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 3, 35121, Padua, Italy.
  • 5 Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ospedale Sant'Anna, Via Napoleona 60, 22100, Como, Italy.
  • 6 Clinic of Plastic Surgery, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128, Padua, Italy.
  • 7 Section of Human Anatomy, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padua, Via Gabelli 65, 35121, Padua, Italy. [email protected].
PMID: 29330414 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-19058-3
Abstract

Surgical reconstruction of peripheral nerves injuries with wide substance-loss is still a challenge. Many studies focused on the development of artificial nerve conduits made of synthetic or biological Materials but the ideal device has not yet been identified. Here, we manufactured a conduit for peripheral nerve regeneration using a novel biodegradable hydrogel we patented that is oxidized polyvinyl alcohol (OxPVA). Thus, its characteristics were compared with neat polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and silk-fibroin (SF) conduits, through in vitro and in vivo analysis. Unlike SF, OxPVA and neat PVA scaffolds did not support SH-SY5Y adhesion and proliferation in vitro. After implantation in rat model of sciatic nerve transection, the three conduits sustained the regeneration of the injured nerve filling a gap of 5 mm in 12 weeks. Implanted Animals showed a good gait recovery. Morphometric data related to the central portion of the explanted conduit interestingly highlighted a significantly better outcome for OxPVA scaffolds compared to PVA conduits in terms of axon density, also with respect to the autograft group. This study suggests the potential of our novel biomaterial for the development of conduits for clinical use in case of peripheral nerve lesions with substance loss.

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